March 16, 2005

TOGO PARTY:

A coalition of opposition parties in Togo has decided upon a single presidential candidate to run in elections next month against the son of the country's late longtime ruler. With the main opposition figure excluded from the vote, his number two is stepping in to fill his shoes.

The Vice President of the Union of Forces for Change, Emmanuel Bob-Akitani will be the sole candidate representing the six major parties of the Togolese opposition.

Mr. Akitani says he will lead a peaceful campaign that will end in victory and allow the opposition to get on with the task of rebuilding a country that, he says, is in ruin following the 38-year rule of the late president Gnassingbe Eyadema.

Given that Faure Gnassingbe seems at least relatively reform-minded too, the Togolese almost can't lose.
Posted by Orrin Judd at March 16, 2005 12:17 PM